Born of Serbian and Slovenian immigrants on Easter Sunday in 1927, George spent his childhood in a steel mill neighborhood in Pueblo, CO. George and his 10 siblings each had to take their turn to support the family during the Great Depression, and so George left school at age 14 to work in a broom factory. His education from then on, as he often explained, was “earning an advanced degree from HKU”--also known as Hard Knocks University. At age 18 he took a job selling ladies’ shoes at a local Baker’s store, and never looked back until he retired 43 years later as a divisional president for parent company Edison Brothers’ Stores, a New York Stock Exchange listed corporation. He designed and marketed ladies shoes for such stores as Baker’s, Leed’s and Wild Pair.
In 1947 George met a pretty blond 17-year-old on a blind date at a store picnic. Joan was instantly smitten by George’s uncanny resemblance to Frank Sinatra, and the two were married January 30, 1949. They made their life in St. Louis, raising their only child Pamela and forging friendships that lasted a lifetime through a Bridge group. At age 70 George found his true calling as an artist, teaching himself acrylic painting. He was inspired by the many places he visited in Europe, South America and Asia in his extensive business travel.
George’s passion was family. You could see it when he drove home from the airport after an overseas business trip to take his daughter to a football game, so they wouldn’t ever miss their beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Or in the many late nights spent listening to teenage troubles—first his daughter’s, and then his grandchildren’s. George personally cared for his wife for several years as her health declined, faithfully serving and encouraging her until her passing in 2008.
George was particularly proud that he outwitted doctors’ predictions time and time again. First told at age 18 by a doctor at an Army physical that his heart wouldn’t last to age 30, George went on to survive a significant heart event in his 40s and several surgeries over the next two decades. His heart for his family just wouldn’t stop! Not until age 87 was it finally time to rest. George is survived by his daughter Pamela Forbat (husband Paul), grandchildren Rachel and Bryan and his sister Betty Prince of Pueblo, CO.
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